Coastal water supply in Bangladesh

The coastal belt of Bangladesh extended over 76 Thanas is identified problem area where complex hydrogeological conditions and adverse water quality make water supply difficult as compared to other parts of the country. The entire belt is crisscrossed by rivers and their tributaries which are under active tidal influence. In spite of having large number of natural streams, ponds and a good ground water storage, the scarcity of potable water is acute. The river water, in most of the time in the year, is highly turbid and saline. The low saline pond water is used for many domestic purposes, but completely unsuitable for drinking. Unlike other areas of Bangladesh, ground water of acceptable quality is not available in most parts of coastal area at relatively shallow depths for easy withdrawal by conventional handpump tubewells. The use of easily available waters as source of domestic water supply requires extensive costly treatment which is not a practical proposition for scattered rural population nor affordable in the context of rural economic condition. Development of an alternative low cost water supply system required to improve the water supply situation in the coastal area of Bangladesh.